Bell Street Blues is a book of poetry inspired by Laurie McTaggart’s life.

Nearly seventy years after being born in Bell Street in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Laurie has summed his life up in poems. And while the street is long gone (cleared in the slum-clearances of the 1960s) the memories live on with this new collection.

Laurie’s childhood, early years and upbringing have all influenced his work, which also touches upon his battle with Secondary-Progressive MS.

Laurie’s work is reminiscent of the poems of Mark Twain and Billy Collins, as well as being highly evocative of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, his hometown. With a smattering of theology and a touch of humour, it appeals to fans of light autobiographical poetry.